I have lost 38Lbs over the last 6 months by modifying my diet, and excercising regularly. I am 36 years old, and am now down to a 36 waist from a 42... Belive me, it was not easy for a guy with a voracious appetite for beer, pizza, scotch and coke, and fast food to do, but what I did was this. Stopped eating a big breakfast with coffee (Caffeine is very bad for dieters), stick to a small glass of fruit juice, some good cereal (NOT Fruity Pebbles or Cap'n crunch) lowfat milk, and maybe an egg if you are really hungry (No more than 2 eggs) Lunch is my big meal, have a sub without mayo, some soup, if you crave hamburgers, give yourself one or two a week, no more, WATER ONLY! Drink as much water during the day as you can, 9-10 glasses or more. If your urine is yellow, you are partially dehydrated. You should always pee mostly clear. Stay away from sodas (even diet soda is bad for you) and juices for the most part are loaded with sugars so....use them sparingly. Take a multi vitamin every day like Centrum. Dinnertime, eat as early as possible, like 6-7pm if you go to bed at 11. Make it a light dinner, like Sushi, or salad with lowfat dressings (oil and vinegar is best) treat yourself to a slice of pizza maybe once or twice a week but not more, and only 1 or 2 slices, not 4 or 5! ;) Keep dinner light. Exercise is tough to get in my schedule, but working on my truck, walking to the local store instead of driving, taking the stairs instead of the elevators, look for opportunity to stress your cardio, and your muscules. Be creative, have fun. Don't fall into the "I have to starve myself to loose weight" you will be miserable, and you won't keep it off. Make it a lifestyle you can enjoy and live with, no need to suffer, but take everything in moderation. I still drink excessively, and punish myself by not eating much of anything when I do. It keeps me honest, and hungry! ;) Oh yeah, one more thing, stop eating whatever you are eating when you feel comfortable, not stuffed. You are not obligated to finish everything on your plte regardless of your membership in the clean plate club of America. Thank Mom / Dad for that club, but stop paying your dues!
Good luck! Eat, Drink, and be merry!
Dave